Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Human Papillomavirus in Cervical Samples from Women in Ogun State, South West Nigeria

Human papillomavirus infection is the necessary causal agent of cervical cancer, and genotype distribution data from Nigerian populations are critical for assessing the coverage and projected impact of available HPV vaccines. This study molecularly detected and genotyped HPV in cervical samples from women attending gynaecological clinics in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South West Nigeria. A cross-sectional study recruited 250 sexually active women aged 18 to 60 years without prior HPV vaccination or cervical cancer treatment. Endocervical brush samples were collected for DNA extraction. HPV detection and genotyping were performed using the Abbott RealTime High-Risk HPV assay and linear array genotyping assay targeting 37 HPV types. Pap smear cytology was performed concurrently on all participants. HPV prevalence was 35.2%, with high-risk genotypes detected in 28.4% of women. HPV-16 and HPV-18 together accounted for 43.2% of high-risk infections. Other high-risk types, particularly HPV-31, HPV-33, HPV-52, and HPV-58, comprised 39.8% of high-risk positives, suggesting coverage gaps with current bivalent and quadrivalent vaccines. HPV positivity was highest in women under 30 and those with three or more lifetime sexual partners. Cytological abnormalities were significantly associated with high-risk HPV detection. The study demonstrates substantial HPV burden with genotype diversity warranting nonavalent vaccine deployment and recommends accelerated national HPV vaccination programme expansion and integrated cervical cancer screening in South West Nigerian gynaecological services. Keywords: HPV, genotyping, cervical cancer, high-risk HPV, Ogun State